At Supper

Mark’s passion account opens with the anointing at Bethany, which is bracketed by plotting and betrayal. Likewise, the account of the last supper brackets the central event of the breaking of bread and offering of wine with references to betrayal, desertion and denial. It is Jesus himself who points out the elephants in the room. He does not let them eat in peace:

“‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?’” (Mk 14:18-19)

They are distressed, but no-one’s conscience is pricked. They keep eating.

“‘Take; this is my body.’” (Mk 14:22)

No-one has been accused, no-one thrown out into the outer darkness. He gives his body over to them, and his blood…

“‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.’” (Mk 14:24)

His blood poured out over deserters and deniers and traitors! But Jesus is at peace with this. His eyes are on the kingdom, where he will drink new wine. He is so clear about what he is doing and for whom, and they are so deluded.

“‘You will all become deserters’… But [Peter] said vehemently, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And all of them said the same.” (Mk 14:27, 31)

Everyone else, yes, but not I! I am different. I will not cave in. I cannot see myself other than in heroic terms. Jesus again lets it go. He has said enough. If the disciples were in any way honest with themselves, this must have been an uncomfortable affair.

The words of truth are given peacefully and without recrimination: You should know this, that you will all be scattered. And at the same moment the food and drink are given: Take, eat, drink, for I pour myself out for you. Jesus is used to eating with tax collectors and sinners, after all. He knows who they are! He knows that they will not stand up before temptation, and yet he does entrust himself to them. He has his eyes on Galilee already; he is remembering the future with invincible hope. He trusts them, though they are untrustworthy, because he sees how he will make them trustworthy. And we call them saints! We are no different than they. We all need to discover how untrustworthy we are, we to whom Jesus entrusts himself.